Hydrangea plant named ‘BC8.3’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BC8.3’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The cultivar ‘BC8.3’ can be blue or red depending on the acidity of the soil and the presence of aluminum. The variety ‘BC8.3’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with large sepalous florets that do not completely hide the non-sepalous florets at the center of the cyme, attractive sepal pigmentation, and stems that branch easily and are relatively strong. When grown without aluminum, the upper sides of the sepals of the sepalous florets are primarily R.H.S. 73 A (red-purple group) at the center of the floret and the sepals are R.H.S 56 A (red group) at their periphery.

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC8.3’.

Variety denomination: ‘BC8.3’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theSaxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangeamacrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC8.3’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled crossbetween the unpatented, commercial variety known as ‘Nizza’ (seedparent) to the inventor, and an unpatented, commercial variety known as‘Messalina’ (pollen parent) to the inventor. The variety ‘BC8.3’ issimilar to the pollen parent ‘Messalina’ which also has relatively largesepalous florets that ring and almost hide all of the non-sepalousflorets in the center of the panicle. In comparison, the seed parent‘Nizza’ has fewer sepalous florets than either ‘BC8.3’ or ‘Messalina’.Both ‘Messalina’ and ‘Nizza’ differ from the new variety ‘BC8.3’ in thatthey have corrugated sepals and florets that are cup-shaped at maturity,while the sepals of the new variety ‘BC8.3’ are flat and spreading.

The variety ‘BC8.3’ has compact, attractive inflorescences withrelatively large sepalous florets that ring and almost hide all of thenon-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle, attractive sepalpigmentation, grows well under commercial conditions, and stems thatbranch easily and are relatively strong. This combination ofcharacteristics makes the plant ideal for commercial production as anornamental potted plant. Below is a table comparing the new variety tosimilar varieties. The new variety was grown alongside the commercialvariety known as ‘Venedig’ (grown as a pink variety) to the inventor,which may be an alias for the patented variety ‘Venice Raven’—U.S. PlantPat. No. 10,928, as a control.

TABLE 1 Currently Patent Currently Patent Pending Variety PendingVariety ‘BC8.3’ BCHY-07.013’- (13/986,180) (13/986,181) Leaf size 10 cm× 16 cm 9 cm × 16.5 cm Plant height 15″ in 6″ pot. 18″ in 6″ pot. Stemstrength Stems are relatively strong. Stems are relatively strong. SepalUpper side of sepals is Upper side of Pigmentation R.H.S. 73 A sepals isR.H.S. (red-purple group) 61 B (red-purple group); in center and marginsUnder side of sepals of sepals are R.H.S. is R.H.S. 70 C (red- 56 A (redgroup). purple group). Sepalous 70 mm 65 mm Floret Size Commericalvariety Currently Patent ‘Venedig’ which may Pending Variety be U.S.Plant Pat. No. New Variety ‘BC7.12’ 10,928 ‘Venice Raven’ (13/986,047)Grown without aluminum Leaf size 9 cm × 16.5 cm Unknown Plant height 17″in 6″ pot. 12″ in 6″ pot - observed controls grown alongside newvariety. Stem strength Stems are strong. Strong - observed controlsgrown alongside new variety Sepal Upper side of sepals Upper side ofsepals is Pigmentation is R.H.S. 67 A (red-purple R.H.S. 74 C (red-group); Under side of sepals purple group). Under side is R.H.S. 68 A(red- of sepals is R.H.S. purple group). 75 B (purple group) ob- servedcontrols grown alongside new variety. Sepalous 60 mm 50 mm - observedcontrols Floret Size grown alongside new variety

The new cultivar ‘BC8.3’ has been successfully asexually reproducedunder controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay,Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishingcharacteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttingswere taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexuallyreproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. showthat the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BC8.3’remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show thetypical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals,although color representations are not accurate and thus references inthe specification should be used for comparison and characterization ofthe new variety.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit,dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the plant showing its inflorescences and thecolor of the sepals.

FIG. 3 is a close-up of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the upper side of a panicle of the newvariety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the center of a panicle of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures are approximately 1 years old. The plantstarted out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. Thecuttings were placed in a pot and the soil was periodically fertilized.The plant was pinched early to promote lateral branches.

‘BC8.3’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Colordeterminations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.)Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, locatedin Lieden.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a seedling    from a controlled cross between the commercial variety known to the    inventor as ‘Nizza’, and the commercial variety ‘Messalina’.-   Form: Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature    inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 15″ high and    has a diameter of 16″ when grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil    amendments. Plants typically have 4 to 6 stems with one    inflorescence between each stem.-   Growth: Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is large. The    plant branches easily with shoots forming at the base of the plant.    Lateral branches are similar in appearance and form to the main    stems.-   Stems: Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet    group) and are 1 to 2 mm long. The surface of young stems is    glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young    stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 144 A (green group). The    older portions of the stems are R.H.S. 197 A (grey-green group)    Younger portions of the stems are 6 mm in diameter. Older portions    of the stems are 1 cm in diameter.-   Foliage: Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral branches.    -   -   Shape of leaf.—Elliptic with acute base and apex. Margins            are serrate.        -   Texture.—Glabrous, non-glossy; veins dominate on the            underside of the leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf            surface.        -   Color.—Mature leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 147 A            (yellow-green group), and an under side that is R.H.S. 138 B            (green group). Leaves are pinnately veined. The midvein and            veins branching off the midvein are large and prominent on            the underside of the leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 144 D            (yellow-green group). Other than the different colors of the            upper and lower surfaces of the leaves and the contrast in            vein color from the upper surface color of the leaves the            color of the leaf surfaces are uniform. Leaves are as wide            as 10 cm and 16 cm long. Petioles are smooth and 2 to 2.5 cm            long and 4 mm wide. Petioles are R.H.S. 144 D (yellow-green            group).

BUDS

-   Form: Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals for both    sepalous and non-sepalous buds. Buds in the center of the    inflorescence are non-sepalous. The buds surrounding the outside of    the inflorescence will develop into sepalous florets. Buds are    approximately 1 mm by 1 mm when very young. Buds can be 5 mm in    diameter and still unopened. Color of buds is R.H.S. 77 C    (red-purple group) when almost ready to open. Buds are R.H.S. 145 D    (yellow-green group) when immature.-   Aspect: Smooth.-   Arrangement: Borne on branched panicles.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 individual flowers (both    sepalouos and non-sepalous florets) per inflorescence. Both sepalous    florets and non-sepalous florets borne on same panicle with many    more non-sepalous florets than sepalous florets. Flowers do not    produce a fragrance. The peduncle for the inflorescence is strong    and upright. Non-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle    develop early on cymes and are later somewhat hidden by the sepalous    florets. Florets, both sepalous and non-sepalous, have anthers and    style. Inflorescences are long-lasting, changing color as they age.-   Size of inflorescence: Compact and rather flat. Individual    inflorescence size is dependent on the number of florets. A typical    inflorescence can grow as large as 8″ in diameter, and be 4″ high.-   Shape: Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets overlap    one another. Sepals are persistent.-   Appearance: Somewhat showy.

FLORETS

-   General: The non-sepalous florets at the center of the inflorescence    open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets are perfect and    complete.    -   -   Corolla.—Generally, for both sepalous and non-sepalous            florets the petals fall off as flower matures. Petals are            typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Petals are R.H.S. 77 C            (red-purple group). Lenticels that are very small are            present on pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous            florets. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B (red-purple) group.            Pedicel of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets are            primarily R.H.S. 68 A (red-purple group) when inflorescence            is ready for commercial sale. Pedicels of non-sepalous            florets are 6 mm long, and pedicels of sepalous florets are            up to 40 mm long.-   Stamens: 8 to 10 stamens. Pollen is R.H.S. 158 C (yellow-white    group). Plant produces abundant pollen. Filament is R.H.S. 72 A    (red-purple group) and 3 mm long. Anther is 1 mm long and is regular    and basally attached.-   Stigma: Two to three style each ovary, sometimes four. Each style    has one stigma. Style is typically 1 mm long. For young    inflorescences ready for commercial sale style is R.H.S. 73 A    (red-purple group) and stigma is R.H.S. 72 A (red-purple group).-   Ovary: Ovary is partially inferior. Ovary is 5 mm in diameter.-   Sepalous florets:    -   -   General.—Veins dominate on the underside of the sepals.        -   Number of sepals.—3 to 5 sepals per floret, with most having            4 sepals.        -   Aspect of sepals.—Smooth and glaucescent.        -   Shape of sepals.—Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are            entire, but with crenation.        -   Size of sepals.—As the florets mature, the sepals enlarge            and overlap each other more and more, until, often, there is            no space between the sepals when the petals of the florets            open. Sepals at maturity are typically 40 mm long and 45 mm            wide, with some being as wide as 60 mm. Flowers are            typically 7 cm in diameter. The color of the sepals can be            blue or red depending on the acidity of the soil and the            presence of aluminum. When grown without aluminum in            alkaline soils, the upper sides of the sepals near the            center of the floret are primarily R.H.S. 73 A (red-purple            group) with the margins of the sepals being R.H.S. 56 A (red            group). The color of the sepals typically fades near the            tips of the sepals.-   Fruit: None.-   Disease and pest resistance: Unknown.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BC8.3’substantially as herein shown and described.